Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness

FBI Academy Firearms Training Unit ^ | July 14, 1989 | Urey W. Patrick

[FromTheSidelines]

Note that the Earth puts more energy into you every day than a 50 BMG round does. It just does it (via gravity) at a MUCH SLOWER rate.

The recoil you feel is a function very much of the energy over time, and that can allow you to not be knocked over. Energy by itself isn’t the issue, it’s the discharge of energy.

In the case of the prize-fighter versus the 45 ACP, the energy delivery time was about the same. In the case of the Earth’s gravity versus a 50 BMG, they are decidedly not close at all...

[50cal Smokepole]

Ping of interest. The FBI PDF doc is lengthy and I’m doubtful concerning the conclusions, IMHO.

[I see my hands]

Check it out.

[Charlespg]

bump

[Clint N. Suhks]

"A bullet simply cannot knock a man down. If it had the energy to do so, then equal energy would be applied against the shooter and he too would be knocked down. This is simple physics, and has been known for hundreds of years.31 The amount of energy deposited in the body by a bullet is approximately equivalent to being hit with a baseball.32 Tissue damage is the only physical link to incapacitation within the desired time frame, i.e., instantaneously.

Same for a .50cal?

[davetex]

Thanks for the ping 50. Here is another article by Massad Ayoob. I’d pretty much take his word as Gospel.

http://www.gunsmagazine.com/defensive-handgun-ammo/

[HereInTheHeartland]

Mine are bigger:

http://www.usswisconsin.org/Pictures/Big%20Guns/003.jpg

[50cal Smokepole]

I wouldn’t want to try that standing up. Dang Newton is a real jerk.

[davetex]

Oops, sorry. Didn’t know the whole article wouldn’t show.

Basically he says his 5 point criteria are:

Reliability
Controllability
Optimum Penetration
Reduced Ricochet Potential
Proven Stopping Power

I had to put it on a bumper sticker, but if you can read the entire article it makes sense.

[50cal Smokepole]

Good link. Massad knows what he’s doing.

[SuperLuminal]

bttt

[SuperLuminal]

bttt

[50cal Smokepole]

I used the follow-thru link. No worries.

[davetex]

Cool.

I need some range time but it’s been about 105-107 here for the longest time.

Akk, just can’t get out in that stuff, and no end in sight!!

Looks like a summer of record here.

[50cal Smokepole]

It’s also been hot here. Good way to cook off a round in a hot chamber.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

This is an old study by Fackler. Worth reading for anyone who hasn’t read it yet?

9mm? No. If you read the last paragraph it concluded that penetration stops and the bigger the hole the better. Nothing wrong with 9mm but the bigger the hole the better.

[Mr Rogers]

Good information on penetration in various calibers here:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/45ACP.html

Penetration isn’t the key. ENOUGH penetration combined with shot placement is pretty important.

Their basic argument is that you have to hit something vital, and that requires a bullet that penetrates to vitals. If a bullet penetrates 12-14”, then increasing caliber SLIGHTLY increases the hole made, and thus the odds of hitting something vital. More than 14” of penetration is just extra recoil for the shooter to deal with...

Also, about half of all people shot will stop, even if nothing vital is hit. The other half will continue fighting, and anything less that a brain or spinal cord shot won’t stop them in less than 10-20 seconds. That is why many folks argue shoot AND MOVE!

[Mr Rogers]

George Adamson of ‘Born Free’ fame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Adamson) was asked how to shoot a charging lion.

“Wait until he’s within 10 feet.” Adamson replied. “Don’t miss.”

If you have the nerve, caliber concerns become less important...

[MasterGunner01]

That being the case, then there's nothing like a Winchester Model 97 or Model 12 “Trench Gun” or an Ithaca Model 37 Riot Gun in 12 ga. with 00 buckshot. Pull the trigger and pump the forearm to dump 9 .33 caliber lead shot down range per shell. Either 54 or 45 .33 caliber shot on its way to you! Of course, with the ‘97 and ‘12 an M1917 17-inch sword bayonet for follow-up is very good.

[FromTheSidelines]

THAT is a BIG set of brass ones!

YOWZA!